To Be Air Conditioned

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30804, 16 July 1965, Page 18

To Be Air Conditioned

(Specially written jor “The Press'’ by WILLIAM CAMPBELL.) SINGAPORE, July 11. New Zealand sailors manning the coastal minesweepers Hickle, ton and Santon will soon no longer have to “sweat it out” on their anti-Indonesian infiltration patrols in Malaysian waters. Both ships, commissioned earlier this year after being in the Royal Navy reserve fleet for some time, are to have air conditioning installed at the naval base dockyard in Singapore. The Hickleton, commanded by Lieutenant Commander M. N. Waymouth, of Puketapu Hawke’s Bay, is unlucky not to have air conditioning already fitted. She has just returned to operational service after undergoing a refit during which she was to have been air conditioned, but the plant did not arrive in time from England.

“She has been fitted for, but not with air conditioning,” commented a dockyard officer. “They’re very much disappointed aboard the

Hickieton. Now she will have to wait for her next maintenance date at the dockyard to have the plant fitted.” The Santon, commanded by Lieutenant Commander L. J. Tempero, of Opawa, Christchurch, is preparing to go into dock for a similar refit. The air-conditioning equipment is expected here by sea in ample time before she comes out. In modern warships air conditioning is now standard

equipment, “blowing hot or cold” depending on the climate. In night patrols in Malaysian waters, where portholes and entrances are closed as ships are blacked out, it is especially desirable. At present the men have to sweat it out. with the exception of those on the open bridge. "It will be most welcome,” said Lieutenant Tempero. The cruiser Royalist, also serving in the Far East station, has her operational stations air conditioned but not her accommodation. It is believed that because she is a comparatively old ship, to be withdrawn from service soon, she will not be air conditioned for economy reasons. The modem frigates Otago and Taranaki are fully air conditioned.